Leviticus 17:1-11

1 The LORD spoke to Moses,
2 "Tell Aaron, his sons, and all the Israelites that this is what the LORD has commanded:
3 Any Israelite who slaughters a bull, sheep, or goat inside or outside the camp
4 is guilty of bloodshed. He has shed blood and must be excluded from the people. Bring the animal to the entrance of the tent of meeting. Offer it to the LORD in front of the LORD's tent.
5 [This means] that the people of Israel must take the sacrifices they have been making in the open fields and bring them to the LORD. They must bring them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The people will sacrifice them as fellowship offerings to the LORD.
6 The priest will pour the blood against the LORD's altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He will burn the fat as a soothing aroma to the LORD.
7 The people must stop sacrificing to goat idols and chasing after them as though they were prostitutes. This is a permanent law for the people and for future generations.
8 "Tell them: If Israelites or foreigners make burnt offerings or sacrifices
9 but do not bring them to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer them to the LORD, they must be excluded from the people.
10 "If Israelites or foreigners eat any blood, I will condemn them and exclude them from the people,
11 because blood contains life. I have given this blood to you to make peace with me on the altar. Blood is needed to make peace with me.

Leviticus 17:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 17

In this chapter a law is given, ordering all sorts of persons, Israelites and sojourners, to bring their sacrifices to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, on pain of being cut off, Le 17:1-9; and a special and particular prohibition of sacrificing to devils is delivered out, Le 17:7; and the eating of blood, and of everything that dies of itself, or is torn with beasts, is forbidden under the above penalty, Le 17:10-16.

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